V Series Operating Instructions 8 - 11
Alarms Alarm Responses
8.3 Alarm Responses
Use the Responses dialog to set the parameter’s alarm level (or alarm priority) and the alarm
responses. Alarm level is associated with the severity of an alarm condition and determines the audio
and visual indicators that occur during an alarm condition. Alarm responses are used to adjust how
the system reacts or responds during an alarm condition. For example, if Nurse Call is selected, and a
HR alarm occurs, an electronic signal is sent to the Nurse Call system.
NOTE: Nurse Call is not an available alarm response unless it was enabled in
System Setup.
The Responses dialog contains the following tabs: ECG/Resp, Pressure, Temp, Gases, CCO/Hemo,
Oximetry, and Neuro. A description of each tab follows.
8.3.1 Understanding Alarm Levels
Assigning an alarm level or priority is based on the patient’s condition. For example, lethal alarms,
because of their critical nature, are usually the highest priority alarms. The parameter's alarm level
(shown as a colored oval) appears beside the corresponding parameter alarm limits button in the
Alarm Limits dialog (as shown in FIGURE 8-2).
NOTE: Some physiological alarms, such as Asystole, are exclusive. They have
identical alarm tones and alarm lights as normal high level
physiological alarms, but their alarm messages are displayed
exclusively. Meaning that when an exclusive physiological alarm and a
normal high level physiological alarms are triggered simultaneously,
only the exclusive physiological alarm message displays.
8.3.2 Characteristics of Visual Alarm Signals
TABLE 8-9 lists the alarm indicator color, the flashing frequency, and the alarm duty cycle for High,
Medium, and Low priority alarm.
8.3.3 Factory Default Alarm Priorities between Alarm Types
The V 12/V 21 prioritizes high priority arrhythmia alarms in the following order:
• Asystole
• Ventricular Fibrillation
• Ventricular Tachycardia
•Bradycardia
BUTTON DESCRIPTION
High Violating the alarm limits of this parameter is life threatening for this patient.
Medium Violating the alarm limits of this parameter is critical, but not life threatening for
this patient.
Low Violating the alarm limits of this parameter is neither critical nor life threatening
for this patient.
TABLE 8-9
ALARM CATEGORY INDICATOR COLOR FLASHING FREQUENCY DUTY CYCLE
High Priority Red 1.4 Hz to 2.8 Hz 20% to 60% on
Medium Priority Yellow 0.4 Hz to 0.8 Hz 20% to 60% on
Low Priority Blue Constant (on) 100% on
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